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I am the group editor of the newspapers in the Northern Tablelands and North West region, which includes The Inverell Times. Over the coming weeks I will be running Q&A's with people in town so they can let us know how they're going at this crazy time. Seeing I'll be asking if people could do this, I thought I should start by answering the questions myself.
At home with Laurie Bullock
What are you reading?
I have started sending out these questions to some people in our community, so what I've been reading most are the answers that have already come in. I look forward to sharing them with you in the coming days.
What are you watching?
I've enjoyed watching livestreams from musical artists who are stuck at home. I have to mention Hayley Jensen's weekly livestream. On Thursday evenings she has been playing for an hour from her home overlooking the Sydney skyline, which has been really enjoyable. I have also liked the songs that Jimmy Barnes has been posting each day, which has included covering the likes of Frank Sinatra and Hank Williams.
What music are you listening to?
I always spend a lot of time listening to music so that hasn't changed. It's mostly country artists from all eras.
What are you cooking?
Toasted sandwiches.
How are you staying fit, both physically and mentally?
That's been challenging, but splitting firewood ahead of winter has been keeping me a little active. Mentally I've been fine with work continuing from home.
What's the one thing keeping you sane?
Chatting with friends on the phone.
Are you working from home? If so how's that going, if not what's work like for you now?
Yes, I've been working from home since March 17. My job as group editor for the Northern Tablelands and North West mastheads already includes keeping in contact with journalists from Goondwindi, Tenterfield, Moree, Glen Innes, Armidale and Walcha, as well as Laini in Inverell. So that hadn't changed much.
What's something positive you've witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?
On Friday night, while we were all stuck at home, most of my journos and I caught up online using Google Hangout. There was 11 of us there and it was really good to be able to talk, and laugh, at the end of a difficult week.
What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?
Last week my journalists were stood down, and the newspapers suspended, leaving me to work alone on the news website. For 12 years I have worked as an editor, leading a team of journalists. Now I only have myself to worry about, so it has dawned on me how my entire job for many years has been about guiding others with their work. I'm already missing it.
What's your advice for others to cope with the crisis?
Go easy on yourself and go easy on other people. And it's not really advice, but if you have a good news tip you can reach me at laurie.bullock@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Take care.
